Jae H Kim Taekwon Do Institute

I started Taekwondo at the age of 52. Now at almost 57, I feel 20 years younger! I’ve lost weight and Taekwondo is keeping me young and vibrant.
Although I’ve not advanced as quickly as some of my younger counterparts due to minor health problems and injuries, I feel empowered and strong! I’m now training hard for my black belt and intend to keep going as long as I can.
I love the school. Mr. Kim is one of the finest international grandmasters in the world and I feel privileged to get trained by him and the other high quality teachers at the school. Every time I go, I learn something new. It’s an art form with a fascinating history that never gets boring.
The other thing I love about the school is that there is a great span of ages, races, religions and nationalities among the members. Americans, Africans, Asians, Europeans, Jews, Christians, Moslems„ Buddhists, atheists, whites, Asians, Latinos and black people among others all work out and get along beautifully at our school! Who would have thought that a place where we learn to fight is one of the most harmonious, respectful places anywhere. As Mr. Kim says «World peace through Taekwondo»!

I frequent this school whenever I visit my family in Boston. My little cousins train here and I join them whenever I am in town.
Hands down one of the best schools I have ever trained at. The quality of instructors is unparalleled, along with the individual attention each student gets.
Recommend this to everyone, child or adult. You would be in good hands, the best probably.

by far, one of the best martial arts schools in the city of Boston… and by the global presence Mr. Kim has established, I’d go so far as to say around the world. I received my black belt in 2003 from Mr. Kim. I stopped practicing in 2005 when I became pregnant. Since then, I have tried other martial arts schools (more local to my home), but found all of them to lack the skill/​focus that was fundamental in Mr. Kim’s teachings. I am now back at Mr. Kim’s school and find the school, its instructors and students to be top notch!

I had some prior experience with TKD and I was forced to start from scratch at the school and retake my belts (of course I had to pay for that). Talking to other people at the school I saw that that is their common practice for everybody
Also the arrogant attitude from many instructors, but especially Mr Smith were a real turn off.
I was forced to take three private classes at the beginning. I thought I was a really good idea, but the people teaching those really did not feel like being there. It was was total waste of time.
I do not recommend this place at all. Thank God I had some prior experience with TKD otherwise I would hate it based on my experience at this place.

First of all, I’d like to start by saying that this place has a great reputation for teaching taekwon do. That said, I have two gripes with this place. I was sitting on the couch with a 12 year old girl just hanging out and chatting. Some dirty 45 year old man was staring at her privates while she was laying on the couch. He literally checked her out in front of my face. Then I gave him a dirty look as if to say «knock if off, you pervert»… he kept walking by and looked at her very innapropriately each time. He even glanced at me like «I dont give a damn». This man is a student at this school! Scary Scary.
Gripe #2:
What is with that water cooler?! They are using TONS of small plastic cups every single day. Cant students bring their own cups? Could this place perhaps purchase paper cups or get a water bubbler?
Come on people, the waste is riduculous.
If we can weed out the sexual deviants and fix the cup waste issue, this place would be pretty awesome.

My son attends the school, and I love the numerous class times for the kids and the incredible quality of instruction. The adult program also has a myriad of class times (7 days a week), and there is something for everyone. Full-​range sparring, light sparring, high intensity workouts, forms and one-​step classes as well as general classes for beginners and advanced practitioners. A great place for both kids and adults alike; I just wish there were more coordinated «mommy/​daddy and me» times so I could coordinate going with my son.
The school is conveniently located in Fenway, so you can take the train to it, but one disadvantage is that during game days parking is impossible, but it’s easy to drop off and pick up.

This is authentic original taekwondo at its best. The Grand Master teaches many of the classes himself so you and your kids can get instruction from an 8^th degree black belt — just show up for the class for no extra fee!!! Many of the instructors are from Korea and are hand picked by the GM. They all have jaw-​dropping skills. You will definitely get the tools to be the martial artist you dreamed of being but you will have to put in the time and sweat. Dont expect to come once a week and leave like Bruce Lee. Classes are unlimited for the monthly fee so you can go everyday if you wish. This alone told me the school is not just about getting my money they really care about teaching.

The bad reviews do not reflect the instruction at this school.
I can’t believe that bad reviews exist here. Seriously, where else can you personally take classes with a Grandmaster? JHK won the Mookas award for a reason. JHK is worldly renown for a reason.
Okay, maybe I’m a bit biased. I’ve been a part of the Jae H Kim Taekwondo community since I was 10 and I’ve helped to teach at another branch location. Albeit, I haven’t seriously trained since I left for college, but I come back to visit now and then.
Sorry if the several THOUSANDS of members are too busy training in the dojang than spending time reviewing the school (s) on Unilocal.
Simply, you sign up fully aware of what you are paying for and what the conditions are. Classes are offered seven days a week. What more can you ask for?
They’re a heck of a lot cheaper than dance or yoga classes — I know!

This school adheres to a formal style of ITF tae kwon do, which I liked. There was a lot more emphasis on form, style, precision, etc. than there was on sparring and competition. If you want ceremonial and structured work, this is the place.
That said, I left because of several factors:
The money push, mentioned below, was really off-​putting. You get thrown in for a few thousand dollars as part of the «black belt plan», but there’s always the sensation that they want you to buy more equipment, more private lessons, more this, more that…
There is a stratification in the ranks due to people in the black belt club and those who aren’t. Even if you attend regularly, you’ll never quite fit in with the elites. It never felt quite right to be there.
The individualized attention everyone is talking about never seemed to come my way. I always felt like I was lost, floundering, and getting injured due to lack of supervision. It was a strange sensation to get to a fairly high rank (brown belt, two belts from black) and feel like I didn’t know anything.

I appreciate the institute’s responses to all the poor ratings here. I described the style as ITF because the instruction I received was not WTF, but congratulations on the Mookas Media award. And I most certainly expressed my concerns to the staff before finally managing to leave. Due to poor business practices, my negative review still stands.

While I appreciate Richard’s comment on my review, I will say that I was unable to finish my «term» due to health reasons, permanent health reasons. I was offered to extend my «term» for a period of months to see if my health improved, which of course, it did not.

JH Kim is a true martial arts school. This is, as opposed to somewhere to learn martial arts, it is the university as opposed to the community college. the outstanding level of tuition is just where it starts, the fact that this school has large numbers of black belt members of varying degrees means that you can learn more in a warm up discussion than you would in an entire lesson at some other schools.
The constant stream of lessons means that you can get top notch teaching no matter when you are free to train, and the friendly atmosphere menas you can always find someone to train with, if you just want to go over some of the basics with a fellow member.
I have traveled around looking for a replacement for this school and generally you pay more for so much less, fancy paying $ 100 per month for a school that only has 4 lessons a week? this is always going to give you as much as you can take and so much more.

Mr. Kim runs an amazing school. If my work schedule hadn’t been so rough, I would’ve been here much more often. The instruction is solid, and there is an extensive schedule of classes. I’ve studied at several schools as I’ve moved around the country, and Jae H Kim was definitely one of the better schools. The only downside I can think of is the location by Fenway, which can be problematic during home Sox games. For those detractors, keep in mind that in the end, a school is still a business. There are rent and equipment costs, instructors need to be paid, and electricity isn’t free. It can seem expensive, but if you want solid Tae Kwon Do instruction, then this is completely worth it.

I agree with both reviewers — I have yet to find a school where the instructors give so much individualized attention to their students. As Mr. Kim (the grandmaster and owner of the dojang) has said, once you’re in, everyone is family to you. Higher-​level belts will go out of their way to help you work on a form or on techniques, and you don’t ever have to hesitate asking for help from the instructors (Mr. Hwang and Mr. Smith are all seasoned and incredible to work with).
With that said, it is expensive, but it also depends on your plan. You can choose to go monthly, or you can be placed on a 2-​year program that speeds your progress to attaining black belt status (that also means you should be going to the dojang a helluva lot more to get the most out of your money). Belt tests are included in the longer contracts; with the monthly contracts, you usually have to pay the fee for the testing. As a member, you have full access to classes (and if you’re a Black Belt Program member, you get access to special Black Belt classes and to their other gym on the 2^nd floor).
Parking is a hassle, especially during Sox season, but if you’re close by, it’s a breeze to get to.

Can’t agree with the last reviewer more. This place really cares that you make progress. I observed a class and decided to try it. I’m still there.
Nothing keeps you progressing faster than practicing more; therefore, they instructors will push you to come more often. You pay by the month here, so they are pushing you to come for your own benefit and not theirs.

Unlike places that don’t care about the quality of their teaching, this place does. They allow you to observe a class or two and are very willing to answer any questions you have about the martial art, the school or anything. Students there are very friendly, you’ll usually get a smile or a hello or both, and don’t mind answering questions (so long as it’s not they aren’t testing). It’s not competitive atmosphere as students don’t compete against one another unless in sparring, which is carefully monitored.
It is, however, expensive (for college students at least). You can go from month to month, 6 months or a year, depending on how long you’ll be in the area. And students are free to take as many classes as they want and to train as often as they like. And honestly, it’s like going to the gym. You get as much out of it as you get in it. Considering that other martial arts places I’ve researched (and gyms, if you think about it) don’t offer so many classes, it really is worth it.
There are two training areas, so if one is being used, there is usually the other area free to practice or lift weights. They also have a special «Black Belt Program» which allows you to ask for special tutorials if you’re having trouble with a move or a form, to help you catch up if you’ve been ill or out of practice and to use a special room set aside for the BBP members. Being a member of the program also allows you to freely practice at their other locations in MA.
They also sell sparring gear, pads, gym bags and clothing related to TKD.
Parking can be hard to find, as it’s located right outside of Kenmore Square and near the Fenway. It can be maddening trying to get to class while trying to get away from the flow of Red Sox fans.